Wireless electric field power transfer system and transmitter, and method of wirelessly transferring power

ABSTRACT

A transmit resonator is provided. The transmit resonator comprises: two inductors; a switching network electrically connected to the inductors; a plurality of capacitive electrodes electrically connected to the switching network; a detector communicatively connected to the capacitive electrodes; and a controller communicatively connected to the switching network and the detector. The detector is configured to detect impedance. The controller is configured to control the switching network to control which electrodes are connected to the inductors based on the detected impedance. The inductors and electrodes are configured to resonate to generate an electric field.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority under35 U.S.C. §§ 120/121 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/722,616,filed on Dec. 20, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/783,242 filed on Dec. 21, 2018, the entire contentsof each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The subject application relates generally to wireless power transfer andin particular, to a wireless electric field power transfer system, and atransmitter and receiver therefor.

BACKGROUND

A variety of wireless power transfer systems are known. A typicalwireless power transfer system includes a power source electricallyconnected to a wireless power transmitter, and a wireless power receiverelectrically connected to a load. In magnetic induction systems, thetransmitter has an induction coil that transfers electrical energy fromthe power source to an induction coil of the receiver. Power transferoccurs due to coupling of magnetic fields between the induction coils ofthe transmitter and receiver. The range of these magnetic inductionsystems is limited and the induction coils of the transmitter andreceiver must be in optimal alignment for power transfer. There alsoexist resonant magnetic systems in which power is transferred due tocoupling of magnetic fields between the induction coils of thetransmitter and receiver. However, in resonant magnetic systems theinduction coils are resonated using at least one capacitor. The range ofpower transfer in resonant magnetic systems is increased over that ofmagnetic induction systems and alignment issues are rectified. Whileelectromagnetic energy may be produced in magnetic induction andresonant magnetic systems, the majority of power transfer occurs via themagnetic field. Little, if any, power is transferred via electricinduction or resonant electric induction.

In electrical induction systems, the transmitter and receiver havecapacitive electrodes. Power transfer occurs due to coupling of electricfields between the capacitive electrodes of the transmitter andreceiver. Similar, to resonant magnetic systems, there exist resonantelectric systems in which the capacitive electrodes of the transmitterand receiver are made resonant using at least one inductor. Resonantelectric systems have an increased range of power transfer compared tothat of electric induction systems and alignment issues are rectified.While electromagnetic energy may be produced in electric induction andresonant electric systems, the majority of power transfer occurs via theelectric field. Little, if any, power is transferred via magneticinduction or resonant magnetic induction.

Although wireless power transfer techniques are known, improvements aredesired. It is therefore an object to provide a novel wireless electricfield power transfer system, a transmitter and receiver therefor and amethod of wirelessly transmitting power.

SUMMARY

It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to introduce aselection of concepts in a simplified form that are further describedbelow in the Detailed Description of Embodiments. This Summary is notintended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Accordingly, in an aspect, there is provided a transmit resonatorcomprising: at least two inductors; a switching network electricallyconnected to the inductors; a plurality of capacitive electrodeselectrically connected to the switching network; a detectorcommunicatively connected to the controller, the detector configured todetect impedance; and a controller communicatively connected to theswitching network and the detector, the controller configured to controlthe switching network to control which electrodes are connected to theinductors based on the detected impedance, wherein the inductors andelectrodes are configured to resonate to generate an electric field.

In one or more embodiments, the detector comprises a first detector anda second detector.

In one or more embodiments, the first detector is configured to detectimpedance presented to the electrodes.

In one or more embodiments, the detector comprises at least one circuitand a phase detector. In one or more embodiments, the circuit isconfigured to measure impedance by applying a voltage and detecting acurrent.

In one or more embodiments, the second detector is configured to detectimpedance during wireless power transfer.

In one or more embodiments, the switching network is configured toelectrically connect each electrode to both inductors.

In one or more embodiments, the transmit resonator has an equal numberof inductors as capacitive electrodes.

In one or more embodiments, the capacitive electrodes are electricallyconnected to the switching network In one or more embodiments, thedetector is electrically connected to the controller and/or thecontroller is electrically connected to the switching network.

In one or more embodiments, the inductors are variable inductors. In oneor more embodiments, the controller is electrically connected to thevariable inductors, and wherein the controller is configured to controlthe inductance of the variable inductors. In one or more embodiments,the capacitive electrodes are electrically connected to the switchingnetwork via the variable inductors.

In one or more embodiments, the inductors and electrodes are configuredto resonate to generate the electric field to transfer power viaelectric field coupling.

According to another aspect there is provided a wireless power transfersystem comprising any of the described transmit resonators.

According to another aspect there is provided a wireless power transfersystem comprising: a transmitter comprising: a power source configuredto generate a power signal; and a transmit resonator electricallyconnected to the power source, the transmit resonator comprising: atleast two transmit inductors; a switching network electrically connectedto the transmit inductors; a plurality of transmit capacitive electrodeselectrically connected to the switching network; a detectorcommunicatively connected to the controller, the detector configured todetect impedance; and a controller communicatively connected to theswitching network and the detector, the controller configured to controlthe switching network to control which transmit capacitive electrodesare connected to the transmit inductors based on the detected impedance,wherein the transmit inductors and transmit capacitive electrodes areconfigured to resonate to generate an electric field; and a receivercomprising: a load; and a receiver resonator electrically connected tothe load, the receive resonator comprising: at least two receiveinductors; and at least two receive capacitive electrodes electricallyconnected to the receive inductors, wherein the receive inductors andreceive capacitive electrodes are configured to resonate in thegenerated electric field and extract power via resonant electric fieldcoupling.

In one or more embodiments, the transmitter further comprises aninverter electrically connected between the power supply and thetransmit resonator.

In one or more embodiments, the receiver further comprises a rectifierelectrically between the load and the receive resonator.

According to another aspect there is provided a method of wireless powertransfer, the method comprising: detecting impedances at at least twocapacitive electrodes electrically connected to a switching network;communicating the impedances at the capacitive electrodes to acontroller communicatively connected to the switching network;determining, at the controller, a subset of capacitive electrodes toconnect to at least two inductors based on the impedances at thecapacitive electrodes, the inductors electrically connected to theswitching network; connecting the subset of capacitive electrodes to theinductors; and resonating the inductors and the subset of capacitiveelectrodes to generate an electric field.

In one or more embodiments, connecting the subset of capacitiveelectrodes comprises sending a signal from the controller to theswitching network to connect the subset of capacitive electrodes to theinductors.

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises: detectingimpedances at the inductors; sending the impedances at the inductors tothe controller; determining, at the controller, if the impedances at theinductors are within a range of impedances; and sending a signal fromthe controller to the switching network to disconnect all capacitiveelectrodes from the inductors if the impedances at the inductors are notwithin the range of impedances.

In one or more embodiments, the range of impedances are impedances atwhich power can be transferred from the capacitive electrodes andinductors via resonant electric coupling.

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises: resonatinginductors and capacitive electrodes of a receiver at the resonantfrequency; and extracting power from the generated electric field viaresonant electric field coupling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless power transfer system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic layout of a wireless resonant electric field powertransfer system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic layout of a transmit resonator in accordance withan aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of capacitive electrodes of thetransmit resonator of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is another schematic representation of capacitive electrodes ofthe transmit resonator of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 6 is a schematic layout of another embodiment of a transmitresonator in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic layout of a wireless power transfer systemcomprising the transmit resonator of FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of a partial wireless powertransfer system comprising the transmit resonator of FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another embodiment of a partial wireless powertransfer system comprising the transmit resonator of FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another embodiment of a partial wireless powertransfer system comprising the transmit resonator of FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of another embodiment of the capacitiveelectrodes and passive electrode of the transmit resonator of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 12 is a schematic layout of another embodiment of the wirelesspower transfer system of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 13 is a schematic layout of another embodiment of the wirelesspower transfer system of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 14 is a schematic layout of another embodiment of the wirelesspower transfer system of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of another embodiment of a partial wireless powertransfer system in accordance with an aspect of the system;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of another embodiment of a partial wireless powertransfer system;

FIG. 17 is a graph of the electric field of the wireless power transfersystem of FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 18 is a graph of the electric field of the wireless power transfersystem of FIG. 16 ;

FIG. 19 is a schematic layout of another embodiment of the wirelesspower transfer system of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 20 is a graph of the radiofrequency (RF) efficiency of the wirelesspower transfer system of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 21 is a graph of the input impedance of the wireless power transfersystem of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a partialwireless power transfer system in accordance with an aspect of thesystem;

FIG. 23 is another perspective view of the wireless power transfersystem of FIG. 22 ;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a partialwireless power transfer system; and

FIG. 25 is a graph of the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) versus distancefor the wireless power transfer systems of FIGS. 22 to 24 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings. As will be appreciated, like referencecharacters are used to refer to like elements throughout the descriptionand drawings. As used herein, an element or feature recited in thesingular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood asnot necessarily excluding a plural of the elements or features. Further,references to “one example” or “one embodiment” are not intended to beinterpreted as excluding the existence of additional examples orembodiments that also incorporate the recited elements or features ofthat one example or one embodiment. Moreover, unless explicitly statedto the contrary, examples or embodiments “comprising”, “having” or“including” an element or feature or a plurality of elements or featureshaving a particular property may further include additional elements orfeatures not having that particular property. Also, it will beappreciated that the terms “comprises”, “has” and “includes” mean“including but not limited to” and the terms “comprising”, “having” and“including” have equivalent meanings.

As used herein, the term “and/or” can include any and all combinationsof one or more of the associated listed elements or features.

It will be understood that when an element or feature is referred to asbeing “on”, “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”,etc. another element or feature, that element or feature can be directlyon, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the otherelement or feature or intervening elements may also be present. Incontrast, when an element or feature is referred to as being, forexample, “directly on”, “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to,“directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element offeature, there are no intervening elements or features present.

It will be understood that spatially relative terms, such as “under”,“below”, “lower”, “over”, “above”, “upper”, “front”, “back” and thelike, may be used herein for ease of describing the relationship of anelement or feature to another element or feature as depicted in thefigures. The spatially relative terms can however, encompass differentorientations in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures.

Reference herein to “example” means that one or more feature, structure,element, component, characteristic and/or operational step described inconnection with the example is included in at least one embodiment andor implementation of the subject matter according to the presentdisclosure. Thus, the phrases “an example,” “another example,” andsimilar language throughout the present disclosure may, but do notnecessarily, refer to the same example. Further, the subject mattercharacterizing any one example may, but does not necessarily, includethe subject matter characterizing any other example.

Reference herein to “configured” denotes an actual state ofconfiguration that fundamentally ties the element or feature to thephysical characteristics of the element or feature preceding the phrase“configured to”.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are usedherein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal,positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which theseterms refer. Moreover, reference to a “second” item does not require orpreclude the existence of lower-numbered item (e.g., a “first” item)and/or a higher-numbered item (e.g., a “third” item).

As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about” represent anamount close to the stated amount that still performs the desiredfunction or achieves the desired result. For example, the terms“approximately” and “about” may refer to an amount that is within lessthan 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within lessthan 0.1% of, or within less than 0.01% of the stated amount.

FIG. 1 shows a wireless power transfer system generally identified byreference numeral 100. The wireless power transfer system 100 comprisesa transmitter 110 comprising a power source 112 electrically connectedto a transmit element 114, and a receiver 120 comprising a receiveelement 124 electrically connected to a load 122. Power is transferredfrom the power source 112 to the transmit element 114. The power is thentransferred from the transmit element 114 to the receive element 124 viaresonant or non-resonant electric or magnetic field coupling. The poweris then transferred from the receive element 124 to the load 122.

In one example embodiment, the wireless power transfer system may takethe form of a resonant electric field wireless power transfer system.FIG. 2 shows a resonant electric field wireless power transfer systemgenerally identified by reference numeral 200 such as that described inU.S. Pat. No. 9,653,948 to Polu et al. filed on Sep. 7, 2012, therelevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The resonant electric field wireless power transfer system 200 comprisesa transmitter 210 comprising a power source 212 electrically connectedto a transmit resonator 214. The transmit resonator 214 comprises a pairof laterally spaced, elongate transmit capacitive electrodes 216, eachof which is electrically connected to the power source 212 via a highquality factor (Q) transmit inductor 218. The system 200 furthercomprises a receiver 220 comprising a receiver resonator 224electrically connected to a load 222. The receive resonator 224 is tunedto the resonant frequency of the transmit resonator 214. The receiveresonator 224 comprises a pair of laterally spaced, elongate receivecapacitive electrodes 226, each of which is electrically connected tothe load 222 via a high Q receive inductor 228.

In this embodiment, the inductors 218 and 228 are ferrite coreinductors. One of skill in the art however will appreciate that othercores are possible.

In this embodiment, each transmit and receive capacitive electrode 216and 226 comprises an elongate element formed of electrically conductivematerial. The transmit capacitive electrodes 216 are coplanar. Thereceive capacitive electrodes 226 are coplanar. In this embodiment, thetransmit capacitive electrodes 216 and the receive capacitive electrodes226 are in parallel planes. In this embodiment, the transmit capacitiveelectrodes 216 and the receive capacitive electrodes 226 are in the formof generally rectangular, planar plates.

While the transmit capacitive electrodes 216 and receive capacitiveelectrodes 226 have been described as laterally spaced, elongateelectrodes, one of skill in the art will appreciate that otherconfigurations are possible including, but not limited to, concentric,coplanar, circular, elliptical, disc, etc., electrodes. Other suitableelectrode configurations are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,979,206 toNyberg et al. filed on Sep. 4, 2015, the relevant portions of which areincorporated herein by reference.

While the inductors 218 and 228 are shown as being connected in seriesto the power source 212 and the load 222, respectively, in FIG. 2 , oneof skill in the art will appreciate that the inductors 218 and 228 maybe connected to the power source 212 and the load 222, respectively, inparallel.

During operation, power is transferred from the power source 212 to thetransmit capacitive electrodes 216 via the high Q transmit inductors218. In particular, the power signal from the power source 212 that istransmitted to the transmit capacitive electrodes 216 via the high Qtransmit inductors 218 excites the transmit resonator 214 causing thetransmit resonator 214 to generate an electric field. When the receiver220, which is tuned to the same resonant frequency as the transmitter210, is placed within the resonant electric field, the receive resonator224 extracts power from the transmit resonator 214 via resonant electricfield coupling. The extracted power is then transferred from the receiveresonator 224 to the load 222. As the power transfer is highly resonant,the transmit and receive capacitive electrodes 216 and 226,respectively, need not be as close together or as well aligned as is thecase with the non-resonant electric field power transfer system. Whilethe transmit resonator 214 may generate a magnetic field, little, ifany, power is transmitted via magnetic field coupling.

When the transmit and receive capacitive electrodes 216 and 226,respectively, are generally aligned power is transferred as previouslydescribed. When the capacitive electrodes 216 and 226 are not generallyaligned, power transfer may decrease or may not be possible at all.

To provide greater positional freedom of the resonators, a transmitresonator in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure is provided.FIG. 3 shows a transmit resonator generally identified by referencenumeral 300. The transmit resonator 300 is configured to generate anelectric field to transfer power to one or more receive resonators aswill be described. The transmit resonator 300 comprises two inductors302, a switching network 304, capacitive electrodes 306, a detector 308and a controller 310.

The inductors 302 are configured to resonate with the capacitiveelectrodes 306 at a resonant frequency to generate an electric field aswill be described. The inductors 302 are electrically connected to theswitching network 304. In this embodiment, the inductors 302 are ferritecore inductors. The inductors 302 are static inductors. One of skill inthe art however will appreciate that other cores are possible.Furthermore, one of skill in the art will appreciate that more than twoinductors 302 or fewer than two inductors 302 may be used.

The capacitive electrodes 306 are comprised of N×M capacitiveelectrodes. The capacitive electrodes 306 are arranged in a gridpattern, where N is the number of columns in the grid and M is thenumber of rows in the grid. Each capacitive electrode 306 iselectrically connected to the switching network 304. The capacitiveelectrodes 306 are coplanar. The capacitive electrodes 306 are coplanarin the x-y plane. In this embodiment, each capacitive electrode 306 is aplanar square plate electrode with identical dimensions.

The switching network 304 is configured to control which electrodes 306resonate with the inductors 302 to generate an electric field. Theswitching network 304 is electrically connected to the inductors 302 andthe controller 310. The switching network 304 electrically connects bothof the inductors 302 to each of the capacitive electrodes 306. In thisembodiment, the switching network 306 comprises multiple interconnectedswitches. In this embodiment, the switching network 304 comprises twoinputs, one input for each inductor 302 and N×M×2 outputs. Each outputis electrically connected to a single capacitive electrode 306. Eachcapacitive electrode 306 is electrically connected to two outputs of theswitching network 304. The switching network 304 is configured tocontrol the connection of the capacitive electrodes 306 to the inductors302. At any given time, a capacitive electrode 306 may be connected, viathe switching network 304, to both inductors 302, a single inductor 302or no inductors 302. When a capacitive electrode 306 is not connected toany of the inductors 302, the capacitive electrode 306 may becomeelectrically floating, or grounded, depending on the requirements of thetransmit resonator 300.

The detector is configured to detect impedance. The detector iselectrically connected to the capacitive electrodes 306. The detector iscommunicatively connected to the controller 310. In this embodiment, thedetector comprises a first detector 308 configured to detect impedancepresented to the electrodes 306. The first detector 308 comprises atleast one circuit. In this embodiment, the first detector 308 furthercomprises a phase detector. The circuit comprises electrical componentsconfigured to detect impedance by applying a voltage and detecting acurrent. The phase detector is configured to detect a phase. The firstdetector 308 utilizes the detected current and the detected phase todetermine the impedance presented to the electrodes 306. The firstdetector 308 determines the impedance presented at each electrode 306.

As previously stated, the detector is communicatively connected to thecontroller 310. The detected impedances are communicated to thecontroller 310. In this embodiment, the detector is electricallyconnected to the controller 310. Specifically, in this embodiment, thefirst detector 308 communicates all of the detected impedances to thecontroller 310. In this embodiment, the first detector 308 iselectrically connected to the controller 310. In this embodiment, thedetected impedances are communicated to the controller 310 through thewired connection between the controller 310 and first detector 308.

The controller 310 is configured to control the switching network 304 todetermine which electrodes 306 are connected to which inductors 302. Thecontroller 310 is communicatively connected to the switching network 304and the first detector 308. In this embodiment, the controller 310 iselectrically connected to the switching network 304 via a wiredconnection. The controller 310 is configured to send a control signal tothe switching network 304 to control which electrodes 306 are connectedto which inductors 302 based on the impedances from the first detector308. While the controller 310 and switching network 304 have beendescribed as separate and unique elements, one of skill in the art willappreciate that the controller 310 and switching network 304 may beincorporated into a single element.

In this embodiment, the controller 310 is a microcontroller. While thecontroller 310 has been described as a microcontroller, one of skill inthe art will appreciate that other configurations are possible. Inanother embodiment, the controller 310 comprises one or more ofsoftware, hardware, a digital logic controller (DLC) and microprocessor.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that other configurations arepossible. In another embodiment, the detected impedances are sent to thecontroller 310 via wireless communication. The controller 310 and firstdetector 308 are not electrically connected via wired connection.Furthermore, in another embodiment, the controller 310 is configured tosend a control signal to the switching network 304 via wirelesscommunication. The controller 310 is not electrically connected to theswitching network 304 via a wired connection. Exemplary wirelesscommunication schemes include WiFi™ and Bluetooth™.

In this embodiment, the transmit resonator 300 further comprises apassive electrode 320 as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/138,344 filed on Sep. 21, 2018 and published as U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2020-0099254 on Mar. 26, 2020, the relevantportions of which are incorporated herein by reference. The passiveelectrode 320 encompasses the electrodes 306 to at least partiallyeliminate environmental influences affecting the electrodes 306. Thepassive electrode 320 is adjacent the electrodes 306. In thisembodiment, the passive electrode 320 and the electrodes 306 haveparallel planes. The passive electrode 320 comprises an elongateelement. The elongate element is formed of electrically conductivematerial. The elongate element is in the form of a generallyrectangular, planar plate.

In operation, the first detector 308 detects impedances presented at thecapacitive electrodes 306. Specifically, the first detector 308 detectsthe impedance presented at each capacitive electrode 306 consecutively(electrode 306 by electrode 306) or at all the electrodes 306 at once.The first detector 308 sends the detected impedances to the controller310. When at least one receive resonator is presented to two or moreelectrodes 306 (a subset of the capacitive electrodes 306 or all thecapacitive electrodes 306) and the detected impedances are greater thana threshold impedance. The threshold impedance is the lowest value of arange of impedances that allows the transmit resonator 300 to resonateat a resonant frequency. In this embodiment, the resonant frequency is13.56 MHz. The controller 310 applies logic to determine which of theelectrodes 306 have been presented with the impedances.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that logic may includethe use of an algorithm, such as but not limited to, a binary search, tobe used to find which transmit capacitive electrodes 306 should beconnected to the transmit inductors 302 upon placing a receiver into thesystem. In another embodiment, depending on the known constraints of agiven wireless power transfer system, more information regarding thepossible sizes and shapes of the receive resonators may result in logicinvolving increasingly complex and time-efficient algorithms to bepossible and available for use within the system. In another embodiment,logic may include the implementation of a genetic algorithm incombination with a neural network to assist the system in quicklyfinding receivers. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatother algorithms are possible.

The controller 310 then sends a signal to the switching network 304 toconnect the two or more electrodes 306 presented with the receiveresonator to the inductors 302 and disconnect all other electrodes 306from the inductors 302. The two or more electrodes 306 and the inductors302 resonate at a resonant frequency to generate an electric field. Thereceive resonator, which is tuned to the same resonant frequency,extracts power from the electric field via resonant electric fieldcoupling. While the transmit resonator 300 may generate electromagneticenergy, the majority of power transfer occurs via the electric field.Little, if any, power is transferred via magnetic induction or resonantmagnetic induction.

As the capacitive electrodes 306 have identical dimensions thecapacitance between capacitive electrodes 306 has certain repeatedvalues. FIGS. 4 and 5 show schematic representation of the capacitiveelectrodes 306 in a grid pattern, where N (the number of columns in thegrid) is 4 and M (the number of rows in the grid) is 4. The capacitancesbetween distinct pairs of capacitance electrodes 306 are shown in FIGS.4 and 5 . FIG. 4 shows four distinct capacitance values, A, B, C and D,between adjacent capacitance electrodes 306. FIG. 5 shows four distinctcapacitance values, E, F, G and H, between diagonal capacitanceelectrodes 306. Capacitance values between the capacitive electrodes 306and the passive electrode 320 is not shown.

While a particular transmit resonator 300 has been described, one ofskill in the art will appreciate that other configurations are possible.FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a transmit resonator generallyidentified by reference numeral 400. The transmit resonator 400 isconfigured to generate an electric field to transfer power to one ormore receive resonators as will be described. The transmit resonator 400comprises two inductors 402, a switching network 404, capacitiveelectrodes 406, a detector and a controller 410. In this embodiment, thetransmit resonator 400 further comprises a passive electrode 420 asdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/138,344 filed on Sep.21, 2018 and published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2020-0099254 on Mar. 26, 2020, the relevant portions of which areincorporated herein by reference. The inductors 402, switching network404, capacitive electrodes 406, controller 410 and passive electrode 420are identical to the inductors 302, switching network 304, capacitiveelectrodes 306, controller 310 and passive electrode 320, respectively,previously described unless otherwise stated.

The detector is configured to detect impedance. In this embodiment, thedetector comprises a first detector 408 and a second detector 412. Thefirst detector 408 is configured to detect impedances presented to theelectrodes 406. The first detector 408 is electrically connected to thecapacitive electrodes 406. The first detector 408 is communicativelyconnected to the controller 410.

The first detector 408 comprises at least one circuit. In thisembodiment, the first detector 408 further comprises a phase detector.The circuit comprises electrical components configured to detectimpedance by applying a voltage and detecting a current. The phasedetector is configured to detect a phase. The first detector 408utilizes the detected current and the detected phase to determine theimpedance presented to the electrodes 406. The first detector 408determines the impedance presented at each electrode 406.

As previously stated, the first detector 408 is communicativelyconnected to the controller 410. The detected impedances arecommunicated to the controller 410. In this embodiment, the firstdetector 408 is electrically connected to the controller 410. Thedetected impedances are communicated to the controller 410 through thewired connection between the controller 410 and first detector 408.

The second detector 412 is configured to detect impedances at theinductors 402. The second detector 412 is electrically connected to theinductors 402. The second detector 412 is communicatively connected tothe controller 410. The second detector 412 comprises at least onecircuit. In this embodiment, the second detector 412 further comprises aphase detector. The circuit comprises electrical components configuredto detect impedance by applying a voltage and detecting a current. Thephase detector is configured to detect a phase. The second detector 412utilizes the detected current and the detected phase to determine theimpedances at the inductors 402.

As previously stated, the second detector 412 is communicativelyconnected to the controller 410. The detected impedances at theinductors 402 are communicated to the controller 410. In thisembodiment, the second detector 412 is electrically connected to thecontroller 410. The detected impedances at the inductors 402 arecommunicated to the controller 410 through the wired connection betweenthe controller 410 and second detector 412.

In this embodiment, the controller 410 is a microcontroller. While thecontroller 410 has been described as a microcontroller, one of skill inthe art will appreciate that other configurations are possible. Inanother embodiment, the controller 410 comprises one or more ofsoftware, hardware, a digital logic controller (DLC) and microprocessor.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that other configurations arepossible. In another embodiment, the detected impedances are sent to thecontroller 410 via wireless communication. The controller 410 and thefirst detector 408 are not electrically connected via wired connection.The controller 410 and the second detector 412 are not electricallyconnected via wired connection. Furthermore, in another embodiment, thecontroller 410 is configured to communicate a control signal to theswitching network 404 via wireless communication. The controller 410 isnot electrically connected to the switching network 404 via a wiredconnection. Exemplary wireless communication schemes include WiFi™ andBluetooth™.

In operation, the first detector 408 detects impedances presented at thecapacitive electrodes 406. When at least one receive resonator ispresented to two or more capacitive electrodes 406 (a subset of thecapacitive electrodes 406 or all the capacitive electrodes 406) and thedetected impedances are greater than a threshold impedance, the firstdetector 408 sends the detected impedances to the controller 410. Thethreshold impedance is the lowest value of a range of impedances thatallows the transmit resonator 400 to resonate at a resonant frequency.In this embodiment, the resonant frequency is 13.56 MHz. The seconddetector 412 detects impedances at the inductors 402. The seconddetector 412 sends the detected impedances at the inductors 402 to thecontroller 410. The controller 410 applies logic to determine which ofthe electrodes 406 have been presented with the impedances.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that logic may includethe use of an algorithm, such as but not limited to, a binary search, tobe used to find which transmit capacitive electrodes 306 should beconnected to the transmit inductors 302 upon placing a receiver into thesystem. In another embodiment, depending on the known constraints of agiven wireless power transfer system, more information regarding thepossible sizes and shapes of the receive resonators may result in logicinvolving increasingly complex and time-efficient algorithms to bepossible and available for use within the system. In another embodiment,logic may include the implementation of a genetic algorithm incombination with a neural network to assist the system in quicklyfinding receivers. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatother algorithms are possible.

The controller 410 then sends a signal to the switching network 404 toconnect the two or more electrodes 406 presented with the receiveresonator to the inductors 402 and disconnect all other electrodes 406from the inductors 402. The controller 410 compares the detectedimpedances presented at the capacitive electrodes 406 from the firstdetector 408 with the detected impedances at the inductors 402 from thesecond detector 412 to ensure the inductors 402 have impedances withinthe range of impedances that allows the transmit resonator 400 toresonate at a resonant frequency. If the inductors 402 have impedanceswithin the range of impedances, the controller 410 takes no furtheraction. If the inductors 402 have impedances that are not within therange of impedances, the controller 410 disconnects all capacitiveelectrodes 406 from the inductors 402 via a command to the switchingnetwork 404. This ensures the components of the transmit resonator 400are not damaged.

When the two or more electrodes 406 are connected to the inductors 402via the switching network 404, the two or more electrodes 406 resonatewith the inductors 402 at a resonant frequency to generate an electricfield. The receive resonator, which is tuned to the same resonantfrequency, extracts power from the electric field via resonant electricfield coupling. While the transmit resonator 400 may generateelectromagnetic energy, the majority of power transfer occurs via theelectric field. Little, if any, power is transferred via magneticinduction or resonant magnetic induction.

The transmit resonator 300 and 400 may be incorporated into a wirelesspower transfer system. FIG. 7 shows such a wireless power transfersystem in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure generallyidentified by reference numeral 500. The system 500 comprises atransmitter 502 and a receiver 510.

The transmitter 502 comprises a power source 504, an inverter 506 andthe transmit resonator 400. The power source 504 is configured to supplypower to the inverter 506. The power source 504 is electricallyconnected to the inverter 506. The power source 504 supplies directcurrent (DC) power to the inverter 506. The inverter 506 is configuredto change the DC power from the power source 504 to alternating current(AC) power. The inverter 506 is electrically connected to the powersource 504 and the second detector 412 of the transmit resonator 400. Inthis embodiment, the inverter 506 comprises an impedance matchingcircuit. The impedance matching circuit is configured to match the inputimpedance of the transmitter 502 to the output impedance of thetransmitter 502.

The receiver 510 comprises a load 512, a rectifier 514 and a receiveresonator 520. The load 512 comprises a device that requires power. Forexample, the load 512 comprises a battery. The load 512 is electricallyconnected to the rectifier 514. The rectifier 514 is configured toconvert the AC power from the receive resonator 520 to DC power. Therectifier 514 is electrically connected to the load 512 and the receiveresonator 520.

The receive resonator 520 is configured to extract power from theelectric field generated by the transmit resonator 400 via resonantelectric field coupling. The receive resonator 520 comprises two receiveinductors 522 and two receive capacitive electrodes 526. In thisembodiment, the receive resonator further comprises a receive passiveelectrode 530.

The receive inductors 522 are configured to resonate with the receivecapacitive electrodes 526 to generate an electric field that has thesame resonant frequency as the transmit resonator 400. Each receiveinductor 522 is connected to a single receive capacitive electrode 526.In this embodiment, the receive inductors 522 are ferrite coreinductors. The receive inductors 522 are static inductors. One of skillin the art however will appreciate that other cores are possible.

The receive capacitive electrodes 526 are coplanar. In this embodiment,each receive capacitive electrode 526 is a planar square plate electrodewith identical dimensions. The receive capacitive electrodes 526 arealigned such that the receive capacitive electrodes 526 may overlap andbe aligned with two capacitive electrodes 406 of the transmit resonator400.

The receive passive electrode 530 is as described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/138,344 filed on Sep. 21, 2018 and published asU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0099254, the relevantportions of which are incorporated herein by reference. The receivepassive electrode 530 encompasses the receive capacitive electrodes 526to at least partially eliminate environmental influences affecting thereceive capacitive electrodes 526. The receive passive electrode 530 isadjacent the receive capacitive electrodes 526. The receive passiveelectrode 530 and the receive capacitive electrodes 526 have parallelplanes. The receive passive electrode 530 comprises an elongate element.The elongate element is formed of electrically conductive material. Theelongate element is in the form of a generally rectangular, planar platewith opposed major surfaces.

In operation, DC power is transferred from the power source 504 to theinverter 506. The inverter 506 converts the DC power to AC power that istransferred to the transmit resonator 400. The first detector 408detects impedances presented at the capacitive electrodes 406. When thereceive capacitive electrodes 526 of the receive resonator 520 are atleast partially aligned with two of the capacitive electrodes 406 (asubset of the capacitive electrodes 406) of the transmit resonator 400and the detected impedances are greater than a threshold impedance, thefirst detector 408 sends the detected impedances to the controller 410.The threshold impedance is the lowest value of a range of impedancesthat allows the transmit resonator 400 to resonate at a resonantfrequency. In this embodiment, the resonant frequency is 13.56 MHz. Thesecond detector 412 detects impedances at the inductors 402. The seconddetector 412 sends the detected impedances at the inductors 402 to thecontroller 410. The controller 410 applies logic to determine which ofthe electrodes 406 have been presented with the impedances.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that logic may includethe use of an algorithm, such as but not limited to, a binary search, tobe used to find which transmit capacitive electrodes 306 should beconnected to the transmit inductors 302 upon placing a receiver into thesystem. In another embodiment, depending on the known constraints of agiven wireless power transfer system, more information regarding thepossible sizes and shapes of the receive resonators may result in logicinvolving increasingly complex and time-efficient algorithms to bepossible and available for use within the system. In another embodiment,logic may include the implementation of a genetic algorithm incombination with a neural network to assist the system in quicklyfinding receivers. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatother algorithms are possible.

The controller 410 then sends a signal to the switching network 404 toconnect the two or more electrodes 406 presented with the receivecapacitive electrodes 526 to the inductors 402 and disconnect all otherelectrodes 406 from the inductors 402. The controller 410 compares thedetected impedances presented at the capacitive electrodes 406 from thefirst detector 408 with the detected impedances at the inductors 402from the second detector 412 to ensure the inductors 402 have impedanceswithin the range of impedances that allows the transmit resonator 400 toresonate at a resonant frequency. If the inductors 402 have impedanceswithin the range of impedances, the controller 410 takes no furtheraction.

The AC power from the inverter 506 excites the two electrodes 406 andthe inductors 402 causing the two electrodes 406 and the inductors 402to resonate at a resonant frequency, and generate an electric field. Thereceive resonator 526, which is tuned to the same resonant frequency,extracts power from the electric field via resonant electric fieldcoupling. While the transmit resonator 400 may generate electromagneticenergy, the majority of power transfer occurs via the electric field.Little, if any, power is transferred via magnetic induction or resonantmagnetic induction. The power received at the receive resonator 520 isconverted from AC power to DC power by the rectifier 514 applied to theload 512.

If the impedances detected at the inductors 402 are not within the rangeof impedances, the controller 410 disconnects all capacitive electrodes406 from the inductors 402 via a signal sent to the switching network404. This ensures the components of the transmit resonator 400 are notdamaged.

When the receive capacitive electrodes 526 of the receive resonator 520are no longer sufficiently aligned with at least two of the capacitiveelectrodes 406 of the transmit resonator 400, the first detector 408detects that impedances presented at the respective electrodes 406 ofthe transmit resonator 400 are outside the range of impedances thatallows the transmit resonator 400 to resonate at a resonant frequency.The first detector 408 sends the detected impedances to the controller410. The controller 410 applies logic and determines that the receivecapacitive electrodes 526 are no longer sufficiently aligned.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that logic may includethe use of an algorithm, such as but not limited to, a binary search, tobe used to find which transmit capacitive electrodes 306 should beconnected to the transmit inductors 302 upon placing a receiver into thesystem. In another embodiment, depending on the known constraints of agiven wireless power transfer system, more information regarding thepossible sizes and shapes of the receive resonators may result in logicinvolving increasingly complex and time-efficient algorithms to bepossible and available for use within the system. In another embodiment,logic may include the implementation of a genetic algorithm incombination with a neural network to assist the system in quicklyfinding receivers. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatother algorithms are possible.

The controller 410 determines that none of the capacitive electrodes 406of the transmit resonator 400 should be connected to the inductors 402.The controller 410 then sends a signal to the switching network 404 todisconnect all capacitive electrodes 406 from the inductors 402 suchthat no power is transferred from the transmit resonator 400.

When the receive capacitive electrodes 526 move such that they arealigned with two different capacitive electrodes 406 of the transmitresonator 400, the first detector 408 detects that impedances presentedat the previously aligned two capacitive electrodes 406 have fallenbelow the threshold impedance and that the impedance presented at thedifferent two capacitive electrodes 406 are greater than the thresholdimpedance. The first detector 408 sends all detected impedances to thecontroller 410. The controller 410 then sends a signal to disconnect thepreviously aligned two capacitive electrodes 406 from the inductors 402and connect the different two capacitive electrodes 406 to the inductors402. The AC power from the inverter 506 excites the different twoelectrodes 406 and the inductors 402 causing the different twoelectrodes 406 and the inductors 402 to resonate at a resonantfrequency, and generate an electric field. The receive resonator 526,which is tuned to the same resonant frequency, extracts power from theelectric field via resonant electric field coupling. While the transmitresonator 400 may generate electromagnetic energy, the majority of powertransfer occurs via the electric field. Little, if any, power istransferred via magnetic induction or resonant magnetic induction. Thepower received at the receive resonator 520 is converted from AC powerto DC power by the rectifier 514 applied to the load 512.

As will be appreciated, the wireless power transfer system 500 describedallows for the receiver resonator 520 to move about the grid ofcapacitive electrodes 406 of the transmit resonator 400 and stillmaintain the resonant electric field coupling required for powertransfer from the transmitter 502 to the receiver 510.

While operation of the wireless power transfer system 500 has beendescribed when the receive capacitive electrodes 526 overlap and arealigned with the capacitive electrodes 406 of the transmit resonator400, wireless power transfer may still occur when the receive capacitiveelectrodes 526 are not fully overlapping and/or aligned with thecapacitive electrodes 406 of the transmit resonator 400.

FIG. 8 shows a partial wireless power transfer system generallyidentified by reference numeral 600. The wireless power transfer system600 is identical to the previously-described wireless power transfersystem 500 unless otherwise stated. The wireless power transfer system600 comprises the transmitter 502 comprising the transmit resonator 400.In this embodiment, the capacitive electrodes 406 of the transmitresonator 400 are arranged in the grid pattern, where N (the number ofcolumns in the grid) is 3 and M (the number of rows in the grid) is 3.

The wireless power transfer system 600 further comprises the receiver510. In this embodiment, the receive capacitive electrodes 526 onlypartially overlap the capacitive electrodes 406 of the transmitresonator 400. In this embodiment, the receive capacitive electrodes 526are not aligned with the capacitive electrodes 406 of the transmitresonator 400.

During operation, the first detector 408 may still detect sufficientimpedances from the receive resonator 520 to resonate two capacitiveelectrodes 406 of the transmit resonator 400 and the inductors 402 togenerate an electric field that are partially overlapped by the receivecapacitive electrodes 526, and to resonate two other capacitiveelectrodes 406 of the transmit resonator 400 and the inductors 402 thatare also partially overlapped by the receive capacitive electrodes 526.The receive resonator 520 resonates at the resonant frequency of thetransmit resonator 400 and extracts power via resonant electric fieldcoupling from both of the generated electric fields. While efficiency ofthe power transfer from each individual electric field may be less thanthe efficiency of the power transfer from a single electric fieldgenerated when the receive capacitive electrodes 526 and the capacitiveelectrodes 406 of the transmit resonator 400 are aligned, some amount ofwireless power transfer may still occur.

While a particular wireless power transfer system 500 with a singlereceiver 510 has been described, one of skill in the art will appreciatethat the wireless power transfer system may comprise multiple receivers.FIG. 9 shows a partial wireless power transfer system generallyidentified by reference numeral 700. The wireless power transfer system700 is identical to the previously-described wireless power transfersystem 500 unless otherwise stated. The wireless power transfer system700 comprises the transmitter 502 comprising the transmit resonator 400.In this embodiment, the capacitive electrodes 406 of the transmitresonator 400 are arranged in the grid pattern, where N (the number ofcolumns in the grid) is 4 and M (the number of rows in the grid) is 4.

The wireless power transfer system 700 further comprises the receiver510 comprising the receive resonator 520. The two receive capacitiveelectrodes 526 of the receive resonator 520 overlap and are aligned withtwo of the capacitive electrodes 406 of the transmit resonator 400 suchthat power is transferred from the transmit resonator 400 to the receiveresonator 520 via resonant electric field coupling.

The wireless power transfer system 700 further comprises a secondreceiver. The second receiver is identical to the receiver 510 unlessotherwise stated. The second receiver comprises a second receiveresonator comprising four capacitive receive electrodes. The secondreceive resonator further comprises a second receive passive electrode704.

The second receive passive electrode 704 is as described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/138,344 filed on Sep. 21, 2018 and published asU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0099254 on Mar. 26, 2020,the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference. Thesecond receive passive electrode 704 encompasses the receive capacitiveelectrodes of the second receive resonator to at least partiallyeliminate environmental influences affecting the receive capacitiveelectrodes. The second receive passive electrode 704 is adjacent thereceive capacitive electrodes of the second receive resonator. Thesecond receive passive electrode 704 and the receive capacitiveelectrodes of the second receive resonator have parallel planes. Thesecond receive passive electrode 704 comprises an elongate element. Theelongate element is formed of electrically conductive material. Theelongate element is in the form of a generally rectangular, planar platewith opposed major surfaces.

In this embodiment, the capacitive receive electrodes of the secondreceiver are arranged in a 2×2 grid pattern with identical spacingbetween adjacent electrodes to the capacitive electrodes 406 of thetransmit resonator 400. The capacitive receive electrodes of the secondreceive resonator are dimensioned identically to the capacitiveelectrodes 406 of the transmit resonator 400. The receive capacitiveelectrodes of the second receive resonator overlap and are aligned withfour of the capacitive electrodes 406 of the transmit resonator 400 suchthat power is transferred from the transmit resonator 400 to the secondreceive resonator via resonant electric field coupling.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 , the transmit resonator 400 may provide powerto multiple receiver resonators at the same time. As the first detector408 detects impedances at each of the capacitive electrodes 406 of thetransmit resonator 400, the first detector 408 detects multipleimpedances at multiple capacitive electrodes 406 when multiple receiverresonators are presented to the transmit resonator 400.

While a particular wireless power transfer system 500 has beendescribed, one of skill in the art will appreciate that otherconfigurations are possible. FIG. 10 shows a partial wireless powertransfer system generally identified by reference numeral 1000. Thewireless power transfer system 1000 is identical to thepreviously-described wireless power transfer system 500 unless otherwisestated. In this embodiment, the capacitive electrodes 406 of thetransmit resonator 400 are arranged in the grid pattern, where N (thenumber of columns in the grid) is 5 and M (the number of rows in thegrid) is 5. Each transmit capacitive electrodes 406 has a width (W) of50 mm and a length (L) of 50 mm. The gap (G) between adjacent capacitiveelectrodes 406 is 10 mm. The receive capacitive electrodes 526 are shownonly to illustrate their locations. One of skill in the art willappreciate that the receive passive electrode 530 would block the viewof the receive capacitive electrodes 526 during operation. Similar tothe capacitive electrodes 406 of the transmit resonator 400, eachreceive capacitive electrode 526 has a width (W) of 50 mm and a length(L) of 50 mm. Furthermore, each receive capacitive electrode 526 isseparated by a gap (G) of 10 mm. The wireless power transfer system 500is operated at a resonant frequency of 13.56 MHz. The inductance of theinductors 402 (not shown) is 60 pH.

While particular capacitive electrodes 306 and 406 have been described,one of skill in the art will appreciate that other configurations arepossible. FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of capacitive electrodesgenerally identified by reference numeral 1206 and a passive electrode1220 of a transmit resonator.

The capacitive electrodes 1206 and the passive electrode 1220 areidentical to the capacitive electrodes 306 and passive electrode 320,respectively, unless otherwise stated. In this embodiment, thecapacitive electrodes 1206 comprise twelve (12) capacitive electrodes.The capacitive electrodes 1206 are arranged in a circular pattern. Thecapacitive electrodes 1206 are generally arranged in two rings, an innerring and an outer ring. The inner ring is surrounded by the outer ring.Each capacitive electrode 1206 is a segment of one of the inner andouter ring. The capacitive electrodes 1206 are coplanar in the x-yplane. In this embodiment, each capacitive electrode 1206 is a planarelectrode. Each capacitive electrode 1206 is a segment of a generallycircular ring.

The passive electrode 1220 comprises an element. The element is formedof electrically conductive material. The element is in the form of agenerally circular, planar plate with opposed major surfaces. Theelement encompasses the outer and inner ring. The plane defined by thepassive electrode 1220 is parallel with the plane defined by thecapacitive electrodes 1206.

The wireless power transfer system 500 comprises the transmitter 502comprising the transmit resonator 400 having inductors 402 that havestatic inductance. The static inductance of the inductors 402 may limitthe ability to utilize multiple capacitive electrodes 406 of thetransmit resonator 400 to transfer power. Transferring power throughmultiple capacitive electrodes 406 of the transmit resonator 400 maychange the transmit-side capacitance, causing the wireless powertransfer system 500 to detune, significantly reducing wireless powertransfer efficiency and increasing losses.

While a particular wireless power transfer system 500 has beendescribed, one of skill in the art will appreciate that otherconfigurations are possible. FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of awireless power transfer system generally identified by reference numeral1300. The wireless power transfer system 1300 is identical to thepreviously-described wireless power transfer system 500 unless otherwisestated. The wireless power transfer system 1300 comprises a transmitter1302 and the receiver 510.

The transmitter 1302 comprises the power source 504, the inverter 506and a transmit resonator 1310. The power source 504 is electricallyconnected to the inverter 506 which is electrically connected to thetransmit resonator 1310. The transmit resonator 1310 comprises twovariable inductors 1312, a switching network 1314, capacitive electrodes1326, a detector and a controller 1320. In this embodiment, the transmitresonator 1310 further comprises a passive electrode 1330. The detectorfurther comprises a first detector 1318 and a second detector 1332. Theinverter 506 is electrically connected to the second detector 1332. Thesecond detector 1332 is electrically connected to the variable inductors1312. The second detector 1332 is communicatively connected to thecontroller 1320. The variable inductors 1312 are electrically connectedto the switching network 1314. The controller 1320 is electricallyconnected to each variable inductor 1312. The switching network 1314 iselectrically connected to the capacitive electrodes 1326. The controller1320 is communicatively connected to the switching network 1314. Thefirst detector 1318 is communicatively connected to the controller 1320.

In this embodiment, the first detector 1318 and second detector 1332 arecommunicatively connected to the controller 1320 via wired connections.Furthermore, in this embodiment, the controller 1320 is communicativelyconnected to the switching network 1314 via wired connection. One ofskill in the art will appreciate that other configurations are possible.In another embodiment, the first detector 1318, second detector 1332and/or switching network 1314 are not electrically connected to thecontroller 1320 via wired connections. The detectors 1318 and 1332 areconfigured to communicate detected impedances to the controller 1320 viawireless communication. The controller 1320 is configured to send acontrol signal to the switching network 1314 via wireless communication.Exemplary wireless communication schemes include WiFi™ and Bluetooth™.

The switching network 1314, capacitive electrodes 1326, controller 1320and passive electrode 1330 are identical to the switching network 404,capacitive electrodes 406, controller 410 and passive electrode 420,respectively, previously described unless otherwise stated. The firstdetector 1318 and second detector 1332 are identical to the firstdetector 408 and the second detector 412, respectively, previouslydescribed unless otherwise stated.

In this embodiment, the variable inductors 1312 are configured toresonate with the capacitive electrodes 1326 at a resonant frequency togenerate an electric field as will be described. In this embodiment, theinductors 1312 are ferrite core inductors. One of skill in the arthowever will appreciate that other cores are possible. Furthermore, oneof skill in the art will appreciate that more than two inductors 1312 orfewer than two inductors 1312 may be used.

During operation the wireless power system 1300 operates identically tothe wireless power system 500, unless otherwise stated. The controller1320 receives impedances from the first detector 1318 and the seconddetector 1332, and adjusts the inductances of the variable inductors1312 to maximize electric field coupling.

While a particular wireless power transfer system 500 has beendescribed, one of skill in the art will appreciate that otherconfigurations are possible. FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of awireless power transfer system generally identified by reference numeral1400. The wireless power transfer system 1400 is identical to thepreviously-described wireless power transfer system 500 unless otherwisestated. The wireless power transfer system 1400 comprises a transmitter1402 and the receiver 510.

The transmitter 1402 comprises the power source 504, the inverter 506and a transmit resonator 1410. The power source 504 is electricallyconnected to the inverter 506 which is electrically connected to thetransmit resonator 1410. The transmit resonator 1410 comprises variableinductors 1412, a switching network 1414, capacitive electrodes 1426, adetector and a controller 1420. In this embodiment, the transmitresonator 1410 further comprises a passive electrode 1430. The detectorfurther comprises a first detector 1418 and a second detector 1432. Theinverter 506 is electrically connected to the second detector 1432. Thesecond detector 1432 is electrically connected to switching network1414. The second detector 1432 is communicatively connected to thecontroller 1420. The switching network 1414 is electrically connected tothe variable inductors 1412. The variable inductors 1412 areelectrically connected to the capacitive electrodes 1426. The firstdetector 1418 is communicatively connected to the controller 1420. Thecontroller 1420 is electrically connected to each variable inductor 1412and to the switching network 1414. The controller 1420 iscommunicatively connected to the switching network 1414. The firstdetector 1418 is communicatively connected to the controller 1420.

In this embodiment, the first detector 1418 and second detector 1432 arecommunicatively connected to the controller 1420 via wired connections.Furthermore, in this embodiment, the controller 1420 is communicativelyconnected to the switching network 1414 via wired connection. One ofskill in the art will appreciate that other configurations are possible.In another embodiment, the first detector 1418, second detector 1432and/or switching network 1414 are not electrically connected to thecontroller 1420 via wired connections. The detectors 1418 and 1432 areconfigured to communicate detected impedances to the controller 1420 viawireless communication. The controller 1420 is configured to send acontrol signal to the switching network 1414 via wireless communication.Exemplary wireless communication schemes include WiFi™ and Bluetooth™.

The switching network 1414, capacitive electrodes 1426, controller 1420and passive electrode 1430 are identical to the switching network 404,capacitive electrodes 406, controller 410 and passive electrode 420,respectively, previously described unless otherwise stated. The firstdetector 1418 and second detector 1432 are identical to the firstdetector 408 and the second detector 412, respectively, previouslydescribed unless otherwise stated.

In this embodiment, there is one variable inductor 1412 for eachcapacitive electrode 1426. Each capacitive electrode 1426 is connectedto the switching network 1414 via a single variable inductor 1412. Thevariable inductors 1412 are configured to resonate with the capacitiveelectrodes 1426 at a resonant frequency to generate an electric field aswill be described. In this embodiment, the inductors 1412 are ferritecore inductors. One of skill in the art however will appreciate thatother cores are possible.

During operation the wireless power system 1400 operates identically tothe wireless power system 500, unless otherwise stated. The controller1420 receives impedances from the first detector 1418 and the seconddetector 1432, and adjusts the inductances of the variable inductors1412 to maximize electric field coupling. The switching network 1414opens or closes connections between the variable inductors 1412 andsecond detector 1432 such that only capacitive electrodes 1426 that arepresented with a receive resonator are resonated with their associatedvariable inductors 1412 to generate an electric field.

While a particular wireless power transfer system 500 has beendescribed, one of skill in the art will appreciate that otherconfigurations are possible. FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of awireless power transfer system generally identified by reference numeral1500. The wireless power transfer system 1500 is identical to thepreviously-described wireless power transfer system 1400 unlessotherwise stated. The wireless power transfer system 1500 comprises atransmitter 1502 and the receiver 510.

The transmitter 1502 comprises the power source 504, the inverter 506and a transmit resonator 1510. The power source 504 is electricallyconnected to the inverter 506 which is electrically connected to thetransmit resonator 1510. The transmit resonator 1510 comprises inductors1512, a switching network 1514, capacitive electrodes 1526, a detectorand a controller 1520. In this embodiment, the transmit resonator 1510further comprises a passive electrode 1530. The detector furthercomprises a first detector 1518 and a second detector 1532. The inverter506 is electrically connected to the second detector 1532. The seconddetector 1532 is electrically connected to switching network 1514. Thesecond detector 1532 is communicatively connected to the controller1520. The switching network 1514 is electrically connected to theinductors 1512. The inductors 1512 are electrically connected to thecapacitive electrodes 1526. The first detector 1518 is communicativelyconnected to the controller 1520. The switching network 1514 iselectrically connected to each inductor 1512. The controller 1520 iscommunicatively connected to the switching network 1514.

In this embodiment, the first detector 1518 and second detector 1532 arecommunicatively connected to the controller 1520 via wired connections.Furthermore, in this embodiment, the controller 1520 is communicativelyconnected to the switching network 1520 via wired connection. One ofskill in the art will appreciate that other configurations are possible.In another embodiment, the first detector 1518, second detector 1532and/or switching network 1514 are not electrically connected to thecontroller 1520 via wired connections. The detectors 1518 and 1532 areconfigured to communicate detected impedances to the controller 1520 viawireless communication. The controller 1520 is configured to send acontrol signal to the switching network 1514 via wireless communication.Exemplary wireless communication schemes include WiFi™ and Bluetooth™.

In this embodiment, there is one inductor 1512 for each capacitiveelectrode 1526. Each capacitive electrode 1526 is connected to theswitching network 1514 via a single inductor 1512. The inductors 1512are configured to resonate with the capacitive electrodes 1526 at aresonant frequency to generate an electric field as will be described.The inductors 1512 are static inductors. In this embodiment, theinductors 1512 are ferrite core inductors. One of skill in the arthowever will appreciate that other cores are possible.

During operation the wireless power system 1500 operates identically tothe wireless power system 1400, except that the inductors 1512 arestatic inductors.

While a particular wireless power transfer system 500 has beendescribed, one of skill in the art will appreciate that otherconfigurations are possible. FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of apartial wireless power transfer system generally identified by referencenumeral 1600. The wireless power transfer system 1600 is identical tothe wireless power transfer system 500 unless otherwise stated. Thewireless power transfer system 1600 comprises a transmitter and areceiver. The transmitter comprises a power source (not shown), aninverter (not shown) and a transmit resonator. The power source iselectrically connected to the inverter. The inverter is electricallyconnected to the transmit resonator.

The transmit resonator is configured to generate an electric field totransfer power to one or more receive resonators as previouslydescribed. The transmit resonator comprises two inductors (not shown)and two transmit capacitive electrodes 1210. The inductors areelectrically connected to the transmit capacitive electrodes 1210. Thetransmit capacitive electrodes 1210 are segments of rings. The transmitcapacitive electrodes 1210 comprise a first segment that is a segment ofan outer ring and a second segment that is a segment of an inner ring.In this embodiment, each transmit capacitive electrode 1210 is a planarelectrode. The transmit capacitive electrodes 1210 are coplanar.

The receiver comprises a receive resonator, a load (not shown) and arectifier (not shown). The load is electrically connected to therectifier. The rectifier is electrically connected to the receiveresonator. The load and rectifier are identical to the load 512 andrectifier 514, respectively, and will not be described further. Thereceive resonator is configured to extract power from the electric fieldgenerated by the transmit resonator 400 via resonant electric fieldcoupling. The receive resonator comprises two inductors (not shown),receive capacitive electrodes 1606, a switching network (not shown), adetector and a controller (not shown). The switching network, detectorand controller are identical to the previously described switchingnetwork 404, detector and controller 410, respectively, of the transmitresonator 400 unless otherwise stated. The inductors are electricallyconnected to the receive capacitive electrodes 1606.

The receive capacitive electrodes 1606 are identical to the capacitiveelectrodes 406 unless otherwise stated. In this embodiment, the receivecapacitive electrodes 1606 comprise twelve (12) capacitive electrodes.The receive capacitive electrodes 1606 are arranged in a circularpattern. The receive capacitive electrodes 1606 are generally arrangedin two rings, an inner ring and an outer ring. The inner ring issurrounded by the outer ring. Each receive capacitive electrode 1606 isa segment of one of the inner or outer rings. The receive capacitiveelectrodes 1606 are coplanar. In this embodiment, each receivecapacitive electrode 1606 is a planar electrode.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a partial wireless power transfersystem generally identified by reference numeral 1700. The wirelesspower transfer system 1700 is identical to the wireless power transfersystem 1600 unless otherwise stated. The wireless power transfer system1700 comprises a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter comprises apower source (not shown), an inverter (not shown) and a transmitresonator. The power source is electrically connected to the inverter.The inverter is electrically connected to the transmit resonator.

The transmit resonator is configured to generate an electric field totransfer power to one or more receive resonators as previouslydescribed. The transmit resonator comprises two inductors (not shown)and two transmit capacitive electrodes 1212. The inductors areelectrically connected to the transmit capacitive electrodes 1212. Thetransmit capacitive electrodes 1212 are segments of rings. The transmitcapacitive electrodes 1212 comprise a first segment that is a segment ofan outer ring and a second segment that is a segment of an inner ring.In this embodiment, each transmit capacitive electrode 1212 is a planarelectrode. The transmit capacitive electrodes 1212 are coplanar.

The receiver comprises a receive resonator, a load (not shown) and arectifier (not shown). The load is electrically connected to therectifier. The rectifier is electrically connected to the receiveresonator. The load and rectifier are identical to the load 512 andrectifier 514, respectively, and will not be described further. Thereceive resonator is configured to extract power from the electric fieldgenerated by the transmit resonator 400 via resonant electric fieldcoupling. The receive resonator comprises two receive inductors (notshown), and two receive capacitive electrodes 1706. The inductors areelectrically connected to the receive capacitive electrodes 1706.

The receive capacitive electrodes 1706 are identical to the capacitiveelectrodes 406 unless otherwise stated. In this embodiment, the receivecapacitive electrodes 1706 comprise two ring electrodes, an outer ringelectrode and an inner ring electrode. The inner ring electrode issurrounded by the outer ring electrode. The receive capacitiveelectrodes 1706 are coplanar. In this embodiment, each receivecapacitive electrode 1706 is a planar electrode.

Simulations were performed on the wireless power transfer systems 1600and 1700. As shown in FIG. 15 , the two transmit capacitive electrodes1210 overlap and are aligned with two of the receive capacitiveelectrodes 1606.

In this embodiment, the outer receive capacitive electrodes 1606 and theouter transmit capacitive electrodes 1210 have an outer radius of 1200mm and an inner radius of 1000 mm. The inner receive capacitiveelectrodes 1606 and the inner transmit capacitive electrodes 1210 havean outer radius of 700 mm and an inner radius of 400 mm. Each receivecapacitive electrode 1606 is separated from the adjacent receivecapacitive electrode 1606 in the same ring by 100 mm. The gap betweenthe outer radius of the inner receive capacitive electrodes 1606 and theinner radius of the outer receive capacitive electrodes 1606 is 300 mm.Similarly, the gap between the outer radius of the inner transmitcapacitive electrodes 1210 and the inner radius of the outer transmitcapacitive electrodes 1210 is 300 mm. The wireless power transfer system1600 delivers 45 watts of power from the transmit resonator to thereceive resonator. The separation distance between the transmitresonator and the receive resonator is 100 mm. The radiofrequency (RF)efficiency of the power transfer between the resonators is 98.2%. Theresonant frequency of the wireless power transfer system 1600 is 13.56MHz. The inductance of the inductors of the transmit resonator is 5.7μH. The inductance of the inductors of the receive resonator is 8.8 μH.

As shown in FIG. 16 , the transmit capacitive electrodes 1212 overlapthe receive capacitive electrodes 1706. In this embodiment, the outerreceive capacitive electrodes 1706 and the outer transmit capacitiveelectrodes 1212 have an outer radius of 1200 mm and an inner radius of1000 mm. The inner receive capacitive electrodes 1706 and the innertransmit capacitive electrodes 1212 have an outer radius of 700 mm andan inner radius of 400 mm. The gap between the outer radius of the innerreceive capacitive electrodes 1706 and the inner radius of the outerreceive capacitive electrodes 1706 is 300 mm. Similarly, the gap betweenthe outer radius of the inner transmit capacitive electrodes 1212 andthe inner radius of the outer transmit capacitive electrodes 1212 is 300mm. The wireless power transfer system 1700 delivers 45 watts of powerfrom the transmit resonator to the receive resonator. The separationdistance between the transmit resonator and the receive resonator is 100mm. The RF efficiency of the power transfer between the resonators is97.8%. The resonant frequency of the wireless power transfer system 1700is 13.56 MHz. The inductance of the inductors of the transmit resonatoris 4.6 μH. The inductance of the inductors of the receive resonator is1.2 μH.

The results of the simulation are shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 . FIG. 17 isa graph of the electric field of the wireless power transfer system1600. Specifically, FIG. 17 shows the electric field drawn on the centerplane between the transmit resonator and receive resonator of thewireless power transfer system 1600.

FIG. 18 is a graph of the electric field of the wireless power transfersystem 1700. Specifically, FIG. 18 shows the electric field drawn on thecenter plane between the transmit resonator and receive resonator of thewireless power transfer system 1700.

In both FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 , the electric field is greater in theregion where the transmit capacitive electrodes 1210 and 1212 overlapwith the receive capacitive electrodes 1606 and 1706, respectively. Theelectric field of the wireless power transfer system 1600 in the areawhere the transmit capacitive electrodes 1210 do not overlap with thereceive capacitive electrodes 1606 is lower than the electric field ofthe wireless power transfer system 1700 in the area where the transmitcapacitive electrodes 1212 do not overlap with the receive capacitiveelectrodes 1706. Thus, the wireless power transfer system 1600 containsthe electric field better than the wireless power transfer system 1700.Improved containment reduces human exposure to RF fields. Furthermore,improved containment prevents electromagnetic interference (EMI). Inaddition, improved containment reduces the specific absorption rate(SAR) value.

While a particular wireless power transfer system 500 has beendescribed, one of skill in the art will appreciate that otherconfigurations are possible. FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of awireless power transfer system generally identified by reference numeral2000. The wireless power transfer system 2000 is identical to thewireless power transfer system 500 unless otherwise stated. In thisembodiment, the transmit resonator comprises capacitive electrodes 2006that are in a grid pattern, where N (the number of columns in the grid)is 2 and M (the number of rows in the grid) is 2. In this embodiment,the capacitive electrodes 2006 are rectangular plate electrodes.

Simulations were performed on the wireless power transfer system 2000.In this embodiment, each capacitive electrode 2006 has a length of 330mm and a width of 100 mm. The gap between the long sides of thecapacitive electrodes 2006 is 50 mm. The gap between the short sides ofthe capacitive electrodes 2006 is 30 mm. The receive capacitiveelectrodes 526 have a length of 330 mm and a width of 100 mm. The gapbetween the receive capacitive electrodes is 50 mm. The gap between thecapacitive electrodes 2006 of the transmit resonator and the receivecapacitive electrodes 526 is 25 mm.

During the simulation, the receive capacitive electrodes 526 move frominitially being overlapping and aligned with the two of capacitiveelectrodes 2006 (Tx1) of the transmit resonator 400. The receivecapacitive electrodes 526 then moved toward the other two capacitiveelectrodes 2006 (Tx2) of the transmit resonator 400 until they wereoverlapping and aligned with these other two capacitive electrodes 2006of the transmit resonator 400.

FIG. 20 is a graph of the RF efficiency of the wireless power transfersystem 2000. The RF efficiency of the wireless power transfer system2000 is defined as the efficiency of the wireless power transfer betweenthe transmit resonator 400 and the receive resonator 510 of the wirelesspower transfer system 2000. The solid curved line in FIG. 20 representswhen two capacitive electrodes 2006 (Tx1) of the transmit resonator 400are active. The dashed curved line in FIG. 20 represents when the othertwo of the capacitive electrodes 2006 (Tx2) of the transmit resonator400 are active. A distance of 0 mm indicates that the receive capacitiveelectrodes 526 are overlapping and aligned with Tx1. A distance of 360mm indicates that the receive capacitive electrodes 526 are overlappingand aligned with Tx2.

The solid vertical line indicates the distance at which the receivecapacitive electrodes 526 begin to overlap with Tx2. The dashed verticalline indicates the distance at which the receive capacitive electrodes526 do not overlap with Tx1. By switching the capacitive electrode 2006pair that is generating an electric field to transfer power to thereceive resonator 510, the RF efficiency can remain greater than 90%during movement of the receive capacitive electrodes 526. For thedistances between 150 to 250 mm, efficient wireless power transfer isachieved from either Tx1 or Tx2.

FIG. 21 is a graph of the input impedance of the transmit resonator 400of the wireless power transfer system 2000. The solid curved linerepresents when Tx1 is generating an electric field to transfer power tothe receive resonator 510, and Tx2 is not generating an electric field.The dashed curved line represents when Tx2 is generating an electricfield to transfer power to the receive resonator 510, and Tx1 is notgenerating an electric field. When the receive capacitive electrodes 526are overlapping and fully aligned with Tx1 or Tx2, the input impedanceis approximately 380Ω. As the receive capacitive electrodes 526 movesaway from either Tx1 or Tx2, the input impedance decreases. At adistance of 180 mm, the receive capacitive electrodes 526 are centeredbetween Tx1 and Tx2 and the input impedance is 120Ω. In this embodiment,this value may be the threshold impedance. Thus, when any capacitiveelectrode 2006 pair is presented with an impedance of 120Ω or greater,the particular capacitive electrode 2006 resonates with inductors aspreviously described.

While a particular wireless power transfer system 500 has beendescribed, one of skill in the art will appreciate that otherconfigurations are possible. FIGS. 22 and 23 show another embodiment ofa partial wireless power transfer system generally identified byreference numeral 2300. The wireless power transfer system 2300 isidentical to the wireless power transfer system 500 unless otherwisestated.

In this embodiment, the transmit resonator comprises capacitiveelectrodes 2306 that are in a grid pattern, where N (the number ofcolumns in the grid) is 7 and M (the number of rows in the grid) is 2.In this embodiment, the capacitive electrodes 2306 are rectangular plateelectrodes. In this embodiment, the transmit resonator further comprisesa transmit passive electrode 2320. The transmit passive electrode 2320is identical to passive electrode 420 unless otherwise stated. Thereceive resonator comprises two capacitive electrodes 2326. The receiverfurther comprises a receive passive electrode 2330. The receive passiveelectrode 2330 is identical to receive passive electrode 530 unlessotherwise stated.

FIG. 24 shows another embodiment of a partial wireless power transfersystem generally identified by reference numeral 2400. The wirelesspower transfer system 2400 is identical to the wireless power transfersystem 2300 unless otherwise stated.

In this embodiment, the transmit resonator comprises capacitiveelectrodes 2406 that are in a grid pattern, where N (the number ofcolumns in the grid) is 1 and M (the number of rows in the grid) is 2.In this embodiment, the capacitive electrodes 2406 are rectangular plateelectrodes. In this embodiment, the transmit resonator further comprisesa transmit passive electrode 2420. The transmit passive electrode 2420is identical to passive electrode 420 unless otherwise stated. Thereceive resonator comprises two capacitive electrodes 2426. The receiverfurther comprises a receive passive electrode 2430. The receive passiveelectrode 2430 is identical to receive passive electrode 530 unlessotherwise stated.

Simulations were performed on the wireless power transfer systems 2300and 2400. In this embodiment, each capacitive electrode 2306 of thetransmit resonator has a length of 330 mm and a width of 100 mm. The gapbetween the long sides of the capacitive electrodes 2306 of the transmitresonator is 50 mm. The gap between the short sides of the capacitiveelectrodes 2306 is 30 mm. Each receive capacitive electrodes 2326 has alength of 330 mm and a width of 100 mm. The gap between receivecapacitive electrodes 2326 is 50 mm. The gap between the capacitiveelectrodes 2306 of the transmit resonator and the receive capacitiveelectrodes 2326 is 25 mm. The gap between the capacitive electrodes 2306of the transmit resonator and the transmit passive electrode 2320 is 25mm. The gap between the receive capacitive electrodes 2326 and thereceive passive electrode 2330 is 25 mm. The wireless power transfersystem 2300 delivers 45 watts of power.

In this embodiment, each capacitive electrode 2406 is 2490 mm in lengthand 100 mm in width. The gap between the capacitive electrodes 2406 is50 mm. Each receive capacitive electrodes 2426 has a length of 330 mmand a width of 100 mm. The gap between the receive capacitive electrodes2426 is 50 mm. The gap between the capacitive electrodes 2406 of thetransmit resonator and the receive capacitive electrodes 2426 is 25 mm.The gap between the capacitive electrodes 2406 of the transmit resonatorand the transmit passive electrode 2420 is 25 mm. The gap between thereceive capacitive electrodes 2426 and the receive passive electrode2430 is 25 mm. The wireless power transfer system 2400 delivers 45 wattsof power.

The results of the simulations are shown in FIG. 25 . FIG. 25 is a graphof the SAR in W/kg for a 10 gram average mass of human feet located 10mm away and overhead from the transmit resonator. During the simulation,the receive capacitive electrodes 2326 were initially aligned with thetwo of capacitive electrodes 2306 of the transmit resonator as shown inFIG. 22 . This configuration is labelled as “Segmented Tx—Aligned” inFIG. 25 . The receive capacitive electrodes 2326 then moved toward theother two capacitive electrodes 2306 of the transmit resonator until thereceive capacitive electrodes 2326 are between two sets of adjacentcapacitive electrodes 2306 of the transmit resonator as shown in FIG. 23. This configuration is labelled as “Segmented Tx—Misaligned” in FIG. 25. The wireless power transfer system 2400 is labelled as “Long Tx” inFIG. 25 . The International Commission on Non-Ionizing RadiationProtection (ICNIRP) RF exposure limit is labelled as “ICNIRP RF exposurelimit” in FIG. 25 .

As shown in FIG. 25 , when the receive capacitive electrodes 2326 arealigned with the capacitive electrodes 2306 of the transmit resonator,the SAR for the wireless power transfer system 2300 is well below theICNIRP RF exposure limit at distances between 1 and 50 mm. Similarly,when the receive capacitive electrodes 2326 are not overlapping andaligned with the capacitive electrodes 2306 of the transmit resonator,the SAR for the wireless power transfer system 2300 is still below theICNIRP RF exposure limit at distances between 1 and 50 mm. The SAR forthe wireless power transfer system 2400 is not below the ICNIRP RFexposure limit when the distance is less than approximately 9 mm.Clearly, the wireless power transfer system 2300 produces reduced SARproviding a generally safer wireless power transfer system.

While a particular operation of the first detector 308 and controller310 has been described, one of skill in the art will appreciate thatvariations are possible. In one embodiment, the controller 310 requeststhe impedances presented to the capacitive electrodes 306 from the firstdetector 308. In response to the request from the controller 310, thefirst detector 308 sends the impedances presented to the capacitiveelectrodes 306 to the controller 310. The other embodiments of the firstdetector and controller discussed herein may function similarly. Theembodiments of the second detector discussed herein may functionsimilarly.

While a particular operation of the first detector 308 and controller310 has been described, one of skill in the art will appreciate thatvariations are possible. In one embodiment, the controller 310 requeststhe impedance presented to a particular capacitive electrode 306 fromthe first detector 308. In response to the request from the controller310, the first detector 308 sends the impedance presented to theparticular capacitive electrode 306 to the controller 310. Thecontroller 310 may make multiple impedance requests over a period oftime. The controller 310 may request impedances presented to more thanone capacitive electrode 306. The other embodiments of the firstdetector and controller discussed herein may function similarly. Theembodiments of the second detector discussed herein may functionsimilarly.

While particular first detectors 308 and 408 have been described, one ofskill in the art will appreciate that other configurations are possible.In another embodiment, the single circuit is configured to apply acurrent and measure a voltage. In another embodiment, the first detector308 and 408 comprises a plurality of circuits. In another embodiment,the first detector 308 and 408 is configured to detect the impedancedifferential between electrodes 306 and 406, respectively. In anotherembodiment, the first detector 308 and 408 is configured to determineboth the impedance presented at each electrode 306 and 406,respectively, and the impedance differential between electrodes 306 and406, respectively.

While a particular second detector 412 has been described, one of skillin the art will appreciate that other configurations are possible. Inanother embodiment, the single circuit is configured to apply a currentand measure a voltage. In another embodiment, the second detector 412comprises a plurality of circuits.

While particular electrodes have been described, one of skill in the artwill appreciate that other configurations are possible including, butnot limited to, concentric, coplanar, circular, elliptical, disc, etc.,electrodes. Other suitable electrode configurations are described inU.S. Pat. No. 9,979,206 to Nyberg et al. filed on Sep. 4, 2015, therelevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference.

While the receiver 510 has been described as comprising the rectifier514, one of skill in the art will appreciate that other configurationsare possible. In another embodiment, the receiver 510 does not comprisea rectifier. In this embodiment, the load 512 is electrically connectedto the receive resonator 520.

Although embodiments have been described above and are shown in theaccompanying drawings, one of skill in the art will appreciate thatvariations and modifications may be made without departing from thescope as defined by the appended claims, and the scope of the claimsshould be given the broadest interpretation consistent with thespecification as a whole.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transmit resonator comprising: at least oneinductor; and a plurality of capacitive electrodes electricallyconnected to the inductor, wherein the inductor and at least twoelectrodes of the plurality of capacitive electrodes are configured toresonate at a pre-set resonant frequency to generate an electric fieldwhen a receive resonator comprising two or more receive capacitiveelectrodes is presented to the at least two electrodes, the receiveresonator tuned to the pre-set resonant frequency of the transmitresonator.
 2. The transmit resonator of claim 1, further comprising: aswitching network electrically connected to the inductor.
 3. Thetransmit resonator of claim 2, further comprising: a controllercommunicatively connected to the switching network and a detector fordetecting impedance, the controller configured to control the switchingnetwork to control which electrodes are connected to the inductor basedon the detected impedance.
 4. The transmit resonator of claim 1, furthercomprising: a detector communicatively connected to a controller, thedetector configured to detect impedance.
 5. The transmit resonator ofclaim 1, wherein the inductor and the at least two electrodes areconfigured to resonate to generate an electric field when the receivecapacitive electrodes at least partially overlap the at least twoelectrodes of the plurality of capacitive electrodes.
 6. The transmitresonator of claim 1, wherein the inductor and the at least twoelectrodes are configured to resonate to generate an electric field whenthe receive capacitive electrodes are aligned with the at least twoelectrodes of the plurality of capacitive electrodes.
 7. The transmitresonator of claim 1, wherein another inductor and at least two otherelectrodes of the plurality of capacitive electrodes are configured toresonate to generate an electric field when a second receive resonatorcomprising two or more receive capacitive electrodes is presented to theat least two other electrodes such that the transmit resonator transferspower to both the receive resonator and the second receive resonator. 8.The transmit resonator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of capacitiveelectrodes are arranged in a circular pattern.
 9. The transmit resonatorof claim 8, wherein the plurality of capacitive electrodes form an innerring and an outer ring surrounding the inner ring.
 10. The transmitresonator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of capacitive electrodes arearranged in a grid.
 11. The transmit resonator of claim 1, furthercomprising: a passive electrode adjacent to the plurality of capacitiveelectrodes and configured to encompass at least one electrode of theplurality of capacitive electrodes to at least partially eliminateenvironmental influences affecting the plurality of capacitiveelectrodes.
 12. The transmit resonator of claim 11, wherein the passiveelectrode is configured to encompass the plurality of capacitiveelectrodes.
 13. The transmit resonator of claim 11, wherein the passiveelectrode and the plurality of capacitive electrodes form a capacitor.14. The transmit resonator of claim 13, wherein the passive electrodeprovides additional capacitance to the capacitor and lowers theinductance of the inductor required to resonate the at least twoelectrodes of the plurality of capacitive electrodes.
 15. A wirelesspower transfer system comprising the transmit resonator of claim
 1. 16.A wireless power transfer system comprising: a transmitter comprising: apower source configured to generate a power signal; and a transmitresonator electrically connected to the power source, the transmitresonator comprising: at least one transmit inductor; and a plurality oftransmit capacitive electrodes electrically connected to the inductor;and a receiver comprising: a load; and a receive resonator electricallyconnected to the load, the receive resonator comprising: at least onereceive inductor; and at least two receive capacitive electrodeselectrically connected to the receive inductor, wherein the transmitinductor and at least two transmit electrodes of the plurality oftransmit capacitive electrodes are configured to resonate at a pre-setresonant frequency to generate an electric field when the receiveresonator is presented to the at least two transmit electrodes, andwherein the receive inductor and the receive capacitive electrodes areconfigured to resonate in the generated electric field and extract powervia resonant electric field coupling, the receive resonator tuned to thepre-set resonant frequency of the transmit resonator.